Pilgrimage of Hulegu Khan

The Pilgrimage of Hulegu Khan occurred from 9 September to 8 November 1263 when the Mongol khan Hulegu Khan of the Ilkhanate made an Orthodox Christian voyage to the holy city of Jerusalem. He was the first Mongol khan to visit the city, which was then part of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

History
Hulegu Khan, the Khagan of the Ilkhanate, converted from Tengrism to Orthodox Christianity in August 1260 after being enlightened by Bishop Komitas of Prusa. Hulegu Khan Christianized the empire, but he did not get to fully embrace his faith until 1263, when he decided to go on a pilgrimage to seek God's grace at one of the holy places of Christianity. He decided to go to to Jerusalem and see the wonders of the Holy Land, travelling to the Kingdom of Jerusalem. On 9 September 1263 he made travel arrangements, and by 24 September everything was packed and in order. On 25 September Khatun Oghul of the Ilkhanate, Hulegu's wife, was appointed as his regent while he was away.

On 30 September 1263, having followed the directions of some peasants before, Hulegu Khan got lost, but he looked over a beautiful valley. He was patient, believing that he should have listened more to the peasants and not less. On 13 October an old woman recognized him as a pilgrim as he passed a small village, and she asked him for a large purse of money, as her daughter and family lived nearby and were suffering hard times. Hulegu was charitable, giving them the purse while throwing in some gold of his own, giving them 10 gold. Hulegu continued his journey, and on 20 October holy knights invited him to share a meal and trade stories as they relaxed from the day's ride. He traded stories of war, gaining more martial skills.

Hulegu arrived in Jerusalem on 29 October 1263, overcome by a feeling of having made a truly epic journey as he passed the Mount of Olives and entered through the city gates. The city was filled with people of all creeds and colors, and he visited several places in the city. He observed different languages and customs at the crossroads where people and ideas met, gaining more learning as well as intrigue. On 8 November he returned from his pilgrimage, having completed a rewarding and interesting journey.